Worthy Writings – That Liz

Where to Find Me Around Town

Posted on November 2, 2018November 2, 2018 by Liz Stevens

Hello there! I’ve been so busy with work-related writing and creative writing that I haven’t had the time to properly nurture this blog, so I thought it was about time I shared some of what I’ve been working on:

Illinois Woman’s Press Association

I’m the First Amendment Network Contact with this lovely historic organization and it’s been a busy year for us. My latest post is on what happened to Jamal Khashoggi. Read it here and while you’re there check out my coverage of the newsprint tariff fiasco that accelerated the downfall of print publications.

We also have an upcoming workshop on communicating effectively through disagreement led by the incredible powerhouse that is Nikki Nigl on Friday, November 9th, at 7pm. Tickets are $5 for members and $10 for non-members and you can purchase yours here. This event is open to all and I hope to see you there! ✊

Best Money Moves

I have the privilege of working for an organization that’s out to make a difference. Best Money Moves is a product that helps employees reduce financial stress, get smarter about spending and reach their financial goals. Over the past six months I’ve written articles about struggles to meet basic needs, financial toxicity, work-related stress, trauma in the workplace, and ‘faking normal.’ My latest post goes over research on why employees quit, like one respondent who said they had been with the same company for 8 years without a single raise (can you believe that?!). Subscribe to the newsletter while you’re there, I write that too! 😊

Think Glink

Ilyce Glink is an award winning financial journalist, real estate and financial wellness expert, author, speaker, entrepreneur and a pretty great boss. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to learn from her and create content for Think Glink. I’ve covered topics like the creepy future of creditworthiness, tiny houses, and the fate of the American dream. If you want to read more of my writing for Think Glink, click on my name in any of these posts to scroll through the 20 or so articles I’ve written so far. And while you’re at it look through some of the categories in the navigation bar at the top and soak up some of Ilyce’s advice, it will come in handy. 😎

Poetry

I love love love love love writing poetry. I’ve been nervous to put my work out there, for endless reasons, but I’d say my two main hangups are: I’m so insecure that it won’t be good enough (a theme in my life that extends far beyond the literary realm) and I don’t read a ton of poetry journals, so it’s hard to know where my work is relevant (if there’s any journals I should start following please let me know). The creative writing courses I’ve taken at Northeastern have given me the confidence and skills to be a better poet. I’ll forever be grateful to my professors for reigniting a dormant passion I cannot believe I neglected for so long. I’m working on my final portfolio for my last creative writing course now, planning a chapbook, and searching for a journal that might be interested in printing some solo pieces. I’ll also share pieces on here occasionally like I’ve done in the past with Snack Attack, Body on the Tracks, and Boyman. ✍

Everything seems to inspire me these days. After class one night my friend Loni used the word ‘funk’ and the ‘fuh’ sound bounced around my brain so many times I had to write a poem about it. It’s not finished yet but I’ve been having a blast writing it:

funk.

a futile fight.

a fugue fall.

a fickle fiend.

a feisty foe.

a formidable force.

a fastidious fool.

a foul flummox.

a frantic flounderer.

Thrive Global

I’m kicking myself for my image choice, but otherwise I’m pretty pleased with the review I wrote of A Star is Born. It’s something I’m really fired up about and it was nice to find a home for my thoughts on the interwebs. I’m considering re-watching all four iterations of A Star is Born and writing a longer academic piece… at some point in the future. In general I’ve been going to a lot more movies, so who knows, maybe I’ll write some more movie reviews too. 🎬

What’s Next

As so many things have changed, I will once again be changing how I use this lovely little digital space I’ve carved out for myself. For now, That Liz will mostly consist of re-posts from my work on other sites, sharing projects I’m working on as they develop and, of course, the occasional blog post when time permits. Thanks for strolling along this zigzagged path with me. ✌

To the Boy, Man, or Something in Between Who Didn’t Get “Lucky” Last Night

Posted on October 12, 2018November 21, 2018 by Liz Stevens

I don’t think you understand.

This will probably fall against deaf ears but I’ve got to at least try to convey how defeating, demeaning and disturbing this behavior can be.

I can’t count the times I’ve been told that it’s no big deal or that it’s just a little fun.

At least I tried this time. At least I said this was moving too fast and I wanted to walk it back. Walk it back? I’ve never used that phrase in my life, though in the moment it seemed like the best way to convey my comfort level.

You said you understood. It was cool. No pressure.

Is that what you meant though?

I felt the pressure of your hand on my hand tugging it down your chest and towards your waistline. And when I moved it back to your shoulder I felt you slowly begin the same process.

I used my words, why didn’t you use yours?

I know why. I made it clear that nothing was going to happen. If you asked again, well, that would have been uncalled for and you know it.

If you simply go on suggesting that I satisfy you there’s no harm, right? Wrong. That’s called coercion.

I’d already said NO. You said OKAY as if you understood but you kept pushing me to pleasure you as if I’d NEVER SAID A WORD.

So, now I’m evaluating how dangerous it is for me to continue turning you down. What happens if I keep moving my hand? Will you keep trying to force it to touch you? How can I turn you down again without angering you?

If you don’t stop, can I overpower you? Will you cover my mouth so I can’t scream? If I can scream, will anyone bother to help?

Or should I be quiet and complicit and hope it’s over quickly?

I’d like to think this insight might change your approach for future advances but I know better.

Boys, men, or something in between like you are so hell bent on empty gratification you’re not the least bit concerned with the casualties of your callousness.